Helenium Autumnale 500 Seeds – Autumn Sneezeweed Helen's Flower Yellow Fall Pollinator Perennial

Helenium autumnale, commonly known as autumn sneezeweed or Helen's flower, is a hardy herbaceous perennial prized for its late-season display of bright yellow, daisy-like blooms. Each flower features a prominent raised central cone surrounded by reflexed petals, creating a distinctive and cheerful look in the fall garden. This native North American wildflower is a valuable addition to pollinator gardens, meadow plantings, and perennial borders, where it attracts bees and butterflies well into autumn.

Autumn sneezeweed brings warm color when many other perennials have finished blooming. Its sturdy stems and long-lasting flowers also make it a useful cut flower. Whether planted in a rain garden, cottage garden, or naturalized area, Helenium autumnale offers reliable late-season interest with minimal fuss.

Plant Features

• Produces bright yellow, daisy-like flowers with prominent central cones
• Blooms in late summer through fall, extending seasonal color
• Attracts bees and butterflies, supporting pollinators
• Native perennial that naturalizes well in meadow and prairie plantings
• Works well as a cut flower and in mixed perennial borders

Growing Information

• Botanical Name: Helenium autumnale
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Moist, well-drained soil; tolerates wet conditions
• Water Requirements: Medium to high; keep soil consistently moist
• Growth Habit: Upright, clump-forming
• Bloom Season: Late summer to fall
• Mature Height: 3 to 5 feet
• Spacing: 18 to 24 inches apart

Planting & Care

Sow Helenium autumnale seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost, or direct sow outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. Press seeds lightly into the soil surface; they need light to germinate. Keep the growing medium consistently moist but not waterlogged, and maintain a temperature around 65 to 70°F. Germination typically occurs in 14 to 21 days, though it can be slower. Once seedlings have several sets of true leaves, harden them off gradually before transplanting into the garden.

Choose a sunny location with moist, well-drained soil. Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart to allow good air circulation. Water regularly during the first growing season to help establish a deep root system. Mature plants benefit from consistent moisture, especially during dry spells. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming, and divide clumps every few years in early spring to maintain vigor. In colder zones, apply a layer of mulch after the ground freezes to protect the crowns.

What's Included

This listing includes 500 Helenium autumnale seeds.